Fireplace constructions



June 21, 1932. c, ZORNES 1,864,036

FIREPLACE CONSTRUCTION Filed latch 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ln'a/gnior B 61' or nes June 21, 1932. R. c. zoRNEs FIREPLACE CONSTRUCTION Filed March 20. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 arnes.

Patented June 21, 1932 ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ROY C. ZOBNES, O1 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE AS- SIGNMENTS, 'iO I-T-U-HEAT OQMPANY, INQ, A COIR-EORATIUN O1 $ALIEORNIA FIREPLACE CONSTRUCTIONS Application filed March. 20, 1929. Serial No. 348,518.

My invention is a fireplace construction having the purpose of discharging heat-ed air into a room and thereby effecting an air cir culation.

An object of my invention is in a fire place construction to have heated chambers above the hearth and built into the upper part of the fireplace, together with air passages drawing air from the room or from an outside source of supply, causing the air to be heated by the radiant heat and the products of combustion and discharging the air into a room.

Another object of my invention is forming the air heating chambers in two sections eX- tending transversely across the fireplace and with two lateral sections connecting the transverse sections. The transverse sections are arranged in the direct path of the products of combustion so that these products strike one side oteach of the transverse heated CllflIIlhers and absorb a considerable amount of heat. e

Another object of my inventionis mounting a damper in the passage between the heating chambers, this damper being of a hinged type and having a spring arm connected thereto trictionally engaging a cross bar so that by engaging the arm with a poker or the like, the damper may be moved to any desired position and remain adjusted in such position.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation partly broken away. of my fireplace construction Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 22 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows:

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 in the directionjof the arrows;

Fig. 4- is a horizontal section on the line 4-4 of 2 taken in the direction of the arrows; V

Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the metal structure and brick work in perspective; Fig. 6 is a rear view showing themetal box and metal leg in perspective; 5 Fig. 7 is a front elevation of amodified form of metal boxwith a framing such having merely a damper therein;

Fig. 8 is a rear perspective view of the construction of Fig. 7 a r In the drawings, the hearth of the fireplace is designated by the numeral 11, there being a back 12 with a curved back surface 13 to refiect the heat forwardly out of the front opening 14 of the fireplace. The smoke flue 15 extends up a chimney or the like and at the base of the flue and on one sidethereof and above the hearth I leavea large'open space 16 in the brick work forming the fireplace.

In this open space I insert a boX-like metal structure having a front wall 17 with an opening 18 therein which communicates with a front opening 19 in the frontportion of the fireplace. A. pair of lateral chambers 20 are located ateach side of the open space 16 and each have an opening 21 communicating with the air passages 22 leading through the sides of the fireplace and drawing air from adja cent the floor note Fig. 3) I v r There is a lower air heating chamber 23 extending transversely across the fireplace above the hearth and connected to-the chem bers 20. This chamber 23 has an inclined wall 24;, a vertical wall 25 at the backand a horizontal wall 26 at the top, such chamber being triangular'in' cross section. There is an opening 27 in the back 12 which communicates with a passage 28-leading through the baclrofthe-fireplace, there being a damper or closure 29 for this air passage;

The upper transverse air chamber 30 has an inclined wall 31 anda'top wall 324' the metal plate-l7 forming the front wall of this chamber. Such chamber communicates with the lateral chambers 20 whereby an air circulation may be had through the passages 22 the opening 21,*the chambers 20, the heating chamber 30 and the openings 18 anda19 back to the room.

The damper33 is formed of a metal'plate hinged as indicated at 34 at the converging edge of the walls 2 and 26 of the lower triangular air heating chamber 23 and this damper hasa spring'arm 3 5connected thereto, the arm being adapted to rub against a.

transverse bar 36.

Therefore by this construction the arm 35 may be pulled outwardly as shown in Fig. 2, opening the damper the full distance or it may be thrust inwardly, closing the damper. This may be readily done by engaging the arm 35 with a poker. It is to be noted that when the damper is fully opened that it catches any back draft coming down the flue 15 and striking the bottom of the flue preventing the back draft from entering the fire place. Also when the damper is fully closed, there is a space at each side 37, giving a certain amount of draft up the flue. The damper is so arranged that the action of gravity tendsto open it instead of closing, so there is no danger of having the damper suddenly close off the smoke flue.

It will be noted thatthe damper 33 tapers from the hinged edge towards the opposite edge; this being necessary on account of the tapered sides of the metal box structure so that when the damper is closed there is a small triangularshaped space on each side of the damper allowing a draft for the fire place, and thus preventing an absolute closure of the damper whereby smoke and gases might be driven into a room.

The manner of operation and functioning of the air heating features of my invention are as follows:

The products of combustion passing up-. wardly strike the inclined surface 24 ofthe lower transverse heating chamber 23 and are deflected by this surface 24 to the surface 31 of the upper transverse heating chamber 30; The products of combustion then pass up the flue. These surfaces are also sub.- jected to the radiant heat from the fire on the hearth. The air in these chambers becoming heated, causes a circulation, the air entering the lateral chambers 20 through the side passages 22 and flowing to the chamber 30 and thence by the opening 19 back to the room. If the damper 29 in the back of the passage 28 is closed, air enters and leaves the transverse chamber 23 from the openings connecting with the side chambers 20. This hot air then mingles with the air in the chamber 30 and is discharged to the room. If desired fresh air may be circulated into'the room by opening the'damper 29 and allowing entrance of air through the passage 28into the transverse heating chamber 23. i

From the above description it will be seen that I have developed an eificient type of air heater for a fireplace in which there is substantially no obstruction to the passage of the products of combustion and that these products of combustion function to transfer heat to the air chambers, the'air chambers" also being subjected to'radiant'heat. The circulation draws the cold air from the floor of the room and discharges it in front of the fireplace at a .relativelyhigh elevation, thus giving a good circulation of'air.

The metal box structure has arcuate legs L0 connected thereto at the rear portion, these legs being formed of angle iron and having a cross bar 41 at the bottom. There is also an angular flange $2 on the front portion of the box structure, this being at the lower edge of the front wall 17. There are also vertical angle bars 43 extending upwardly on the back of the box structure on the back wall 25.

The legs 40 function to make a form for the curved brick work of the back surface 13 of the fireplace and the angle iron 42 on the front fits on a shelf made in the brick work on the fireplace structure. The whole device therefore with the metal framing'forms a type of mold or guide for placing the brick work in position for the fireplace. These features of mounting are clearly illustrated in particular in Figs. 2, 5 and 6.

In the construction of Figs. 7 and 8 I use a box-like structure 45 having a closed top wall 46, a closed front wall 47 and closed side walls 48. The back a9 is open as is also the bottom 50. The draft from the fireplace comes up through the open bottom 50 and through the damper opening and out of the open back 49 thence up the smoke flue. The damper construct-ion and its control may a be the same as in Figs. 1 through 6.

In this construction I use ametal framing having legs 52' formedin a curve connected by a bottom cross bar 53. rkpair of vertical angle bars 54 extend upwardly from the top of the legs at the open rear side of the boxlike structure. The device illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 is readily adapted to install in the fireplace and'forms a guide or form in bricking in the structure of the fireplace. This device, however, does not have any features of ventilation of the room but by the use of this box structure 45 with the legs and other framing it is comparatively simple to build a correctly designed fireplace.

Various changes may be made in the principles of my invention without depart ing from the spirit thereof as set forth in the description, drawings and claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of a fireplace with a metallic, box-like structure having a pair of curved legs extending downwardly and rearwardly from the rearwall thereof, a cross bar extendingacross (the front face of said structure, the said legs and the cross bar serving to form a guide in making the brick work of the fireplace, and the box-like structure making a form around which the brick of the fireplace be constructed and having a'passage for the products of combustion.

'2. The combination of a fireplace with a hollow metallic, box-like structure, said boxlike structure containing a lower, transverse chamber and an upper, transverse chamber with a passage for products of combustion between said chambers and connections to and from said chambers for the circulation of air, back legs connected with thebox-like structure, said structure and legs being built into a refractory fireplace and usable as a form in building up the brick work of the fireplace.

13. The combination'of a fireplace with a hollow metallic, box-like structure, "said structure having a lower, transverse chamber and an upper, transverse chamber with a passage for products of combustion between said chambers and a pair of lateral air chambers at opposite ends, the lower chamber having a rear connection to the outside air, both of said transverse chambers beingconnected to the lateral chambers, and the. upper chamber having a connection to a room to be heated, the said box-like structure being built v into a fireplace and usable for a form in building up the brick work of the fireplace.

4:. The combination of a fireplace with a hollow metallic, box-like structure, said structure having a lower, transverse chamber and an upper transverse chamber with a passage for products of combustion between said chambers with connections for circulation of air between said chambers and from the exterior of the box to said chambers, the said box-like structure being built into a fireplace and usable as a form in building up the brick work of the fireplace.

5. The combination of a fireplace with a metallic, box-like structure, said structure having a lower, transverse chamber and an upper, transverse chamber with a passage for products of combustion therebetween, a pair of side chambers, a connection from each side of each transverse chamber to the side verse chamber through the back of the fireplace to the exterior air, a front connection from the upper, transverse chamber to the room being heated, a lateral connection from each of the side chambersto, the air of the room being heated, the said box-like structure having a support built into the fireplace, and the said box-like structure being usable as a form in building up the brick work of the fireplace.

6. A fireplace having a refractory hearth and a refractory back wall with a concave curving considered vertically, a hollow metallic box-like structure positioned above the hearth and having a lower, transverse chamber with a front, sloping wall extending torwardly fromthe upper end of the back wall, an upper, transverse chamber with a sloping zall extending rearwardly, there being a passage for products of combustion between the two chambers.

7. A fireplace as claimed in claim 6, the said box-like structure having a lateral chamber at each end of the transverse'chambers with connections between all of said cham bers, the lateral chambers having an outside air connection to the room being heated and the upper, transverse chamber having front openings to the room being heated, the said box-like structure forming a form for the brick work of the fireplace.

'8. A fireplace having a hearth, a box-like structure positioned above the hearth and having legs extending downwardly and rearwardly, said legs and the box-like structure making a form for the brick work of the fireplace, the said box-like structure having a lower, transverse chamber and an upper transverse chamberwith a passage for products-of combustion therebetween, a flue extending upwardly rearwardly of said structure, a side chamber at the end of the boxlike structure and connected to the transverse chambers, the lower, transverse chamber having an air connection through the back of the fireplace, the side chambers having an air connection through the sides of the fireplace, and the uppentransverse chamber having an air connection through the front of the fireplace. c

9.'A fireplace having a hearth, refractory back and side walls, a box-like structure having a transverse lower and upper 'chamber spaced apart. with an opening for the products of combustion between said:chambers, side chambers connecting the'ends of said transverse chambers, air ducts leading through-the refractory side walls to said side chambers, there being an outlet from'the uppertransverse chamber to the front of the fireplace. f"

10. A' fireplace having a. metal box-like structure with, a lower and anupper transverse air chamber spaced apart, with a passage for the products of combustion between said chambers, a lateral air chamber at the end of each of the transverse air chambers and connected thereto, a pair of curved legs extending from the lowerchamber downwardly, a supporting structure on the lower front outside portion of said box-like structure, the fireplace having aheart-h with the legs resting thereon, a refractory curved back wall extending upwardly following the curve of the legs, refractory side walls,a refractory front-wall above the opening of the fireplace and supported on said supporting structure in front' of the box-like structure and having an openingcommunicating with the upper transverse chamber, theside chambers each having an opening, andanair passage connected from the side walls to such side chambers)- I 11. Afireplacehavinga hearth, a pair of curved'legs at the back of the hearth extending upwardly, a refractory back wall followingthe curvature of said legs, refractory side of the fireplace, said box like structure having a supporting angle on the front and adja cent the bottom with a. refractory wall supported thereon, such wall having an opening, the box-like structure having a lower and an upper transverse air chamber spaced apart, such space forming'a passage for products of combustion, the upper chamber being connected to said opening, side chambers each connected to the transverse chambers and each having a side opening, and the side walls having air passages connected to said latter openings.

. 12. A fireplace as claimed in claim 11', the openingfor the passage of products of combustion having a damper pivotally connected to the structure forming the lower transverse chamber and to engage the structure forming the upper transverse chamber, said damper having its ends formed to leave end openings when such damper is in its closed position, thereby providing for an up draft at the ends of the'damper.

13. A fireplace having a metal box-like structure rectangular in cross section and hav ing a lower transverse air chamber and an upper transverse air chamber each being triangular in cross section, the lower chamber having a wall downwardly and rearwardlv inclined and the upper chamber having a wall upwardly and inwardly inclined, such chanibers forming a passage therebetween for products of combustion, end chambers directly connected to said transverse chambers, the

upper transverse chamber having a front opening, said structure having legs connected at the back and extending downwardly, the fireplace having a hearth with'said legs resting thereupon, said structure having a supporting metal at the front and lower portion, a refractory back wall of the fireplace following the shapeof the legs and embedding said legs, refractory side walls, a refractory front wall resting on the front support'and having an opening communicating with the opening of the upper transverse air chamber, a refractory covering on the top of the box-like metal structure, and the side walls having air ducts, there being openings in the side c-h ambers connecting to such ducts. I i

14. In a fireplace construction, a metallic box like structure substantially rectangular in vertical cross section having a lower and an upper transverse air chamber with side air chambers connected thereto, the side air chambers having end openings, the upper chamber having a front opening, the box-like structure having curved legs extending down- 7 V wardly from the rear portion and having an angle connected to the lower front edge, said legs providing a form for a brick rear wall of the fireplace, and the angle being. adapted to support a front brick wall of the fireplace.

15. In a fireplace having a hearth, back and side walls, with a box-like structure built into the fireplace above said walls and having an opening therethrough with a damper to close .said opening, said damper having the ends cut at an angle to leave end passages when the damper is closed.

16. A fireplace having a refractory hearth and a refractory back wall with a concave curve considered vertically, a hollow metallic bogcslike structure positioned above the hearth and having a lower transverse metal wall extending upwardly in substantially a contin uation of the curve of the back wall of the hearth, an upper transverse chamber having a rearwardly and upwardly sloping wall ex tending above and across the line of the lower wall and being-in a position to be impinged upon by the products of combustion from the fireplace, there being a passage for such prod ucts of combustion between the lower metal wall and the sloping wall of the upper chamber, and an inlet and an outlet for air to such upper chamber.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

' ROY C. ZORNES. 

